Presenting the Model of the Role of Self-Compassion and Compassion for the Romantic Partner in Psychological Distress with the Mediation of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in Female Victims: A Descriptive Study

Several factors may be the basis of intimate partner violence (IPV) and psychological distress of female victims, among which the role of positive concepts in such relationships is not very clear. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of determining the model of the role of self-compassion and compassion for the romantic partner (CR) in psychological distress with the mediation of intimate partner violence (IPV) in female victims.

The present study is descriptive. The statistical population included all women victims of IPV in Kerman province in 2023 (Kerman and Rafsanjan Cities) in 2022-2023, out of which 301 women were selected by convenience sampling. Revised Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS), Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), Compassionate Goals Scale (CGS), and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS) were used for gathering data. Data were analyzed through structural equation modeling (SEM).

The results showed that there is a relationship between psychological distress and self-compassion, CR, and IPV with rates of -0.544, 0.153, and 0.332, respectively (p<0.05). There was a significant relationship between IPV and self-compassion and CR with the rate of -0.363 and 0.193 (p<0.05). Also, the results showed that there is a relationship between self-compassion and CR and psychological distress and mediation of IPV with rates of -0.121 and 0.064 (p<0.05).

Results of the present study suggested that self-compassion in women who are victims of IPV can have positive consequences, but CR can increase IPV and, as a result, more psychological distress. Therefore, the results of this research highlight the different effects of positive concepts in traumatic relationships.